Cleopatra. And when good will is show'd, though't come
too short,
The actor may plead pardon. I'll none now:
1060Give me mine angle; we'll to the river: there,
My music playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-finn'd fishes; my bended hook shall pierce
Their slimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
I'll think them every one an Antony,
1065And say 'Ah, ha! you're caught.'

Charmian. 'Twas merry when
You wager'd on your angling; when your diver
Did hang a salt-fish on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.
1070

Cleopatra. That time,—O times!—
I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
I laugh'd him into patience; and next morn,
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed;
Then put my tires and mantles on him, whilst
1075I wore his sword Philippan.
[Enter a Messenger]O, from Italy
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears,
That long time have been barren.
1080

Cleopatra. Well, go to, I will;
But there's no goodness in thy face: if Antony
1095Be free and healthful,—so tart a favour
To trumpet such good tidings! If not well,
Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes,
Not like a formal man.

Cleopatra. I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st:
Yet if thou say Antony lives, is well,
Or friends with Caesar, or not captive to him,
I'll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee.
1105

Cleopatra. I do not like 'But yet,' it does allay
The good precedence; fie upon 'But yet'!
'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth
1115Some monstrous malefactor. Prithee, friend,
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear,
The good and bad together: he's friends with Caesar:
In state of health thou say'st; and thou say'st free.

Messenger. Free, madam! no; I made no such report:
1120He's bound unto Octavia.

Cleopatra. What say you? Hence,
[Strikes him again]1130Horrible villain! or I'll spurn thine eyes
Like balls before me; I'll unhair thy head:
[She hales him up and down]Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire, and stew'd in brine,
Smarting in lingering pickle.
1135

Messenger. Gracious madam,
I that do bring the news made not the match.

Cleopatra. Say 'tis not so, a province I will give thee,
And make thy fortunes proud: the blow thou hadst
Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage;
1140And I will boot thee with what gift beside
Thy modesty can beg.

Cleopatra. I will not hurt him.
[Exit CHARMIAN]These hands do lack nobility, that they strike
A meaner than myself; since I myself
Have given myself the cause.
1160[Re-enter CHARMIAN and Messenger]Come hither, sir.
Though it be honest, it is never good
To bring bad news: give to a gracious message.
An host of tongues; but let ill tidings tell
1165Themselves when they be felt.

Cleopatra. O, I would thou didst,
So half my Egypt were submerged and made
1175A cistern for scaled snakes! Go, get thee hence:
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face, to me
Thou wouldst appear most ugly. He is married?

Messenger. Take no offence that I would not offend you:
To punish me for what you make me do.
Seems much unequal: he's married to Octavia.

Cleopatra. O, that his fault should make a knave of thee,
That art not what thou'rt sure of! Get thee hence:
1185The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome
Are all too dear for me: lie they upon thy hand,
And be undone by 'em!

Cleopatra. I am paid for't now.
Lead me from hence:
I faint: O Iras, Charmian! 'tis no matter.
1195Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
Report the feature of Octavia, her years,
Her inclination, let him not leave out
The colour of her hair: bring me word quickly.
[Exit ALEXAS]1200Let him for ever go:—let him not—Charmian,
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon,
The other way's a Mars. Bid you Alexas
[To MARDIAN]Bring me word how tall she is. Pity me, Charmian,
1205But do not speak to me. Lead me to my chamber.